Know your leaf set out dates; Public information event on Vilas Park plans; Announcements and Events abound!

Hello neighbors,

Fall is in full swing, so be sure to check your leaf set out dates! And, as we get closer to Halloween, remember that you’ll be able to put your pumpkins in your leaf piles after the Ghoulish holiday.

Updates and Notices

Two Alder Community Engagement Events this Week! Join Alder John Guequierre from District 19 for a virtual public information meeting on Tuesday, October 21, to discuss how policy decisions can accelerate housing development in Madison and the Odana Road Corridor. Register at www.cityofmadison.com/OdanaRd.

Alder Sabrina V. Madison from District 17 invites you to her annual Community Engagement Dinner at Sandburg Elementary School on Friday, October 24. Enjoy a meal, connect with neighbors, and hear updates on district projects. Please register at www.cityofmadison.com/D17Dinner.

See more information in the Events sections!

Public Information Meetings (PIMs)

• Southeast Area Plan Public Meeting: Virtual Option, Tuesday, October 21: Residents, community organizations, businesses, and others are invited to join in the second phase of the planning for the Southeast Area Plan with a series of public meetings in the coming weeks.
• Southeast Area Plan Public Meeting: In-Person, Tuesday, October 21: Residents, community organizations, businesses, and others are invited to join in the second phase of the planning for the Southeast Area Plan with a series of public meetings in the coming weeks.
• Public Information Meeting - Vilas Park, Wednesday, October 22: Madison Parks is holding a virtual Vilas Park Public Information Meeting on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, at 6:00 pm. Advanced registration is required.
• Public Input Meeting - Midtown Commons Park, Wednesday, October 22: Join us on Wednesday, October 22 at 6:00 PM for the second virtual public meeting for the Midtown Commons Park master planning process. Midtown Commons Park is expanding to include ~8.2 acres of additional park green space. During the meeting, Parks staff will share the results of the online survey and present a proposed master plan option based on the received community input.
• Southwest Area Plan Public Meeting: In-Person, Thursday, October 23: These meetings will provide an overview of issues and opportunities in the planning area and offer a chance to review and comment on draft plan actions. In-person meetings will have a short presentation followed by an open house.

Announcements and News Releases

• Draft Recommendations Published for Southwest and Southeast Area Plans: The City of Madison’s planning teams for the Southwest and Southeast Area Plans have published a draft of their proposed recommendations and maps, giving the community a chance to review them ahead of the next round of public meetings.
• Packers Avenue Closure for Railroad Crossing Replacement Begins October 27: Starting at 6:00am on Monday, October 27, Packers Avenue (STH 113) will be closed to all traffic at the railroad tracks just north of International Lane to allow CPKC Railroad to replace the deteriorating railroad crossing.
• Everyday places in Darbo-Worthington turned into points of connection through art: This fall, Madison-based artist and community organizer Jennie Bastian invites neighbors and visitors alike to experience a temporary public art project unfolding in and around Thurber Park in the Darbo-Worthington neighborhood.
• After the SLAM: A Storyteller's Spotlight with Nestor Gomez and Araceli Esparza: Madison Public Library is hosting a special literary event featuring two celebrated storytellers: Nestor “the Boss” Gomez and Araceli Esparza. Come hear excerpts from each of their latest books during this free event on Saturday October 25.
• City of Madison Launches New Financial Transparency Tools : The City of Madison is proud to offer new tools to increase awareness and understanding of its finances.
• Urban Forestry Planting 850 Trees in Fall 2025: Urban Forestry’s fall planting season will begin on Monday, October 20, 2025.Crews will be planting approximately 850 trees from 28 different species along City of Madison streets.
• Madison Police Department and Community Partners Celebrate Completion of 2nd Annual Proximity Project: The Madison Police Department (MPD) proudly announces the successful completion of the 2nd Annual Proximity Project, a community-driven initiative designed to foster understanding, trust, and collaboration between officers and residents they serve.
• Capital City Trail Storm Sewer Replacement Project Update: Storm sewer work that will temporarily close the intersection of S Paterson Street at the Capital City Trail path will begin on Wednesday, October 15th. Work in this area will last for approximately 1 week.
• Celebrate Native Nations with the Teejop & Beyond Program at Madison Public Library Beginning October 20: Teejop & Beyond: Celebrating Native Nations, is returning to Madison Public Library this fall. The program is hosted in partnership with Ho-Chunk Gaming Madison and highlights both traditional and contemporary practices, stories, and community relationships.

Please visit the City news webpage to find additional news and announcements and to subscribe to receive notification of news releases as they are posted.

Events

• Optimizing Your Home's Energy Performance by Project Home, Tuesday, October 21: Are you ready to lower your energy bills and create a more comfortable home? This course provides you with the knowledge and tools to achieve just that. Learn practical strategies for improving your home’s energy efficiency, from simple DIY projects to larger upgrades.
• When Plans Come Together: Transforming the Odana Rd Corridor, Tuesday, October 21: Join us for an informative session as we explore the series of actions that have transformed the Odana Rd corridor, which includes over 2,000 housing units that have already been built, are currently under construction, or are in the planning phase. We will also share updates on upcoming projects, community initiatives, and other relevant news.
• District 17 Community Engagement Dinner, Friday, October 24: Join District 17 Alder Sabrina Madison, Sandburg Elementary leadership, and invited city staff for an update on projects across the district. There will be an opportunity to share your feedback and concerns about the district. Please register in advance.
• As part of the Wisconsin Science Festival, Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District is excited to host our Clean Water Showcase on Oct. 24 & 25! Event participants will get a first public look at our reimagined Fish Room and Educational Lab, two favorite stops on our plant tour. Plus, you'll enjoy:
  • Hands-on water chemistry experiments
  • Natural fish tank reveal
  • Mini carnival-style games
  • Horse-drawn wagon mini tours
  • Coffee and snack bar
  • And more!
• Bird & Nature Adventures | Edna Taylor, Saturday, October 25: Join a naturalist for an easy, family-friendly walk from Aldo Leopold Nature Center into beautiful Edna Taylor Conservation Park and enjoy a bit of nature education along the way.
• Stand Down Madison, a day to help veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness: October 25, 8:30am-1pm, the Salvation Army, 3030 Darbo Drive.
• Sound and Sense Immersion, Sunday, October 26: Sound and Sense Immersion is a two-hour gentle and restorative meditation, light, aromatherapy and sound bath journey through the elements.
• Vaccines: Dispelling Myths and Making Informed Choices, October 27, 7-8pm. Please join the Morgridge Institute for Research for a Fearless Science Forum webinar exploring vaccines. Morgridge Investigator Paul Ahlquist will be joined by Drs. Jorge Osorio, Nasia Safdar, and John V Williams to discuss how vaccines protect communities, how rigorous safety processes work through each stage of their development before and after release, and how to start separating credible information from misleading claims. Participants will leave with practical tools for evaluating sources and making informed decisions.
• Halloween events abound!
  • Halloween on the Green, Sunday, October 26, starting at 4:30pm at Hillington Green triangle park.
  • Hilldale-O-Ween, Sunday, October 26, 3-5pm. Meet at the Green, outside the Apple store.
  • Halloween will be celebrated in the Shepherd Terrace cul-de-sac starting at 6pm on October 31. Please bring a dish to pass and your own family’s beverages. Please bring a donation for pizza!

Additional upcoming events can also be found on the City events calendar.

Boards, Commissions, and Committee Meetings

Note: This is not a complete list of meetings for this upcoming week. All meetings and their details can be found at the Meeting Schedule page.

• Plan Commission: The Plan Commission meeting will take place on Monday, October 20, at 5:30 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include development-related requests in Districts 4, 8, 12, 16, and 17.
  • Meeting Details
  • Meeting Agenda
  • Register for Public Comment
  • Watch Online
• Transportation Commission: The Transportation Commission meeting will take place on Wednesday, October 22, at 5:00 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include an annual review of Metro Transit’s Safety Plan.
  • Meeting Details
  • Meeting Agenda
  • Register for Public Comment
  • Watch Online
• Housing Policy Committee: The Housing Policy Committee meeting will take place on Thursday, October 23, at 4:30 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include a staff presentation and discussion regarding data for the 2025 Housing Snapshot Report.
  • Meeting Details
  • Meeting Agenda
  • Register for Public Comment
  • Watch Online

If you would like more information about becoming a member of a City board, commission, or committee, please visit the page linked here.

Best wishes,

Regina Vidaver